Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are capable of acquiring linguistic skills, improving their communication skills, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, ultimately giving rise to a rich and fulfilling life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for assisting infants with hearing impairments. Below, we will have a look at how they function and how to know which one is right for your child.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous factors to consider:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Genetic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that might occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. Infants in the United States go through hearing loss screening before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Achieving these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. If you need guidance on these assessments, your pediatrician will be happy to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These small, wearable devices amplify sound, helping infants hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Suitable for infants just a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
- Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your baby develops, hearing aids will need to be calibrated regularly to ensure correct fit and effectiveness.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If a baby has extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant might be suggested.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Recover hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only suggested following a complete assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing tests, and conversations about long-term expectations and results.
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Conventional Hearing Aids
Hearing aids:
- Mild to severe hearing loss
- Non-Invasive
- Sound processing amplification
- Starts at Infancy
Cochlear Implants:
- Severe to profound hearing loss
- Invasive (Surgical)
- Converts Sound Electrical Signals
- Starts at 9-12 Months
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of assistance. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to acquire language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking swift action can have a far-reaching and lasting effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Get in touch with to us today for a full evaluation and personalized care plan.
Sources:
cdc.gov/ hearing-loss-children-guide/ parents-guide/understanding-hearing-loss. html.
boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/hearing-aids-babies.
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cochlear-implants/childrens-.
cochlear-implants.
dukehealth.org/blog/hearing-aids-vs-cochlear-implants.
